Customer Reviews

Dreams of the Dark (Dark Shadows)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I LOVED this new Dark Shadows novel. It is true to the series in so many ways, with lots of little references that only die-hard DS fans would notice as well as twists and turns and surprises! I mean, the "Pennock Supper Club?" Who else but real DS fans would write a nifty reference like this into a novel! And there are so many more! I could feel Collinsport and Collinwood as if I was really there. Barnabas is written true-to-form! I especially loved the way Victoria Winters was presented. I always knew she was from an orphanage and knew she was battling insecurities that we the viewers just couldn't really see; this book gives us fresh insight into her fears of abandonment (which most adults who were raised in such a situtation would be haunted by) and I liked her all the more for her courage in face of her fears. And talk about sensual! I loved it and read it in two sittings. I hope that we see more Rainey-Massie Dark Shadows novels, as well as more from our favorite "witch" Lara Parker!

Let's hope that Lara Parker's words in her introduction to this great book are true: that there are many more stories to come. When I last heard, Harper had committed only to Ms. Parker's ANGELIQUE'S DESCENT and this book which is, with all respect to Ms. Parker, much superior to the first. Authors Rainey and Massie have taken the best aspects of the series (suspense and romance) and given them an updated point of view, while still apparently setting the story in 1968. A cameo by Chris Jennings whets the appetite for more appearances by other familiar characters in books to come. The "revelation" about Victoria Winters did seem to be somewhat tacked-on (and will hopefully be more fully dealt with in a future book), but, to true fans of the show who are aware of at least one interview given by Alexandra Moltke, can hardly come as a surprise. My only regret was the absence of Julia Hoffman, but given the theme of the book, her appearance may have been too much of a complication for the authors to deal with. Harper should take note of the lucrative paperback franchise of Star Trek novels and, true to Lara Parker's words, give DS fans old and new more great novels such as this.

Angelique has spent untold time in her damnation, plotting revenge against her truelove, Barnabas Collins and everyone close to him. And now, she has found the perfect tool, a powerful vampire named Thomas Rathburn. Barnabas has succeeded in keeping the secret of his vampirism, but now he stands to loss everything. Plus, if Angelique succeeds in returning to life, there will be no escape for Barnabas Collins.

This wonderful novel is based on the American television show Dark Shadows (1966-71), and brings back all of the magic of that great show! I loved the way that the author used the old characters, and yet brings them to life with new details. Plus, I found the character of Thomas Rathburn to be fascinating in his own right.

If you are a fan of the old Dark Shadows, then you will *love* this book. If you are a fan of Gothic horror, and are not familiar with the show, you will still find this to be a great book, with a great story and characters. I highly recommend this book!

I just got hold of this book, and am glad I did! I relived the glory days of Dark Shadows, glad for the excellent story and wishing the t.v. show could live again with new adventures! The authors had the characters down pat, from Barnabas to Caroline to Roger and Elizabeth and bratty little David. Please, more DS novels!!

Mark Rainey and Elizabeth Massie do an excellent job bringing the wonderful Collins family back to life once more. This combines many of the original major characters (Vicki Winters, Barnabas Collins, Carolyn Stoddard) and introduces a very interesting new character as well - the very compelling Rathburn. I enjoyed both of the recent Dark Shadows novels (the other being Lara Parker's "Angelique's Decent"), but of the two I liked this one best. The background for the Rathburn character was especially interesting. I was also happy to find that a good part of the action occurs at Collinwood rather than in a remote location. A great read for DS fans old and new.

This book is superb, from the story line to the Dark Shadows details that fans know and love. A new character/vampire comes to town and stirs up an already bizarre place with his own agenda and desires. Barnabas, Victoria, Carolyn and David all figure prominently in this tale of Shadowy treachery, love, passion, and hate. A must read for DS lovers, and even for readers who would like to get into the mysterious world of Collinsport!

First off, I'll have to take exception with the reader from Cincinnatti who thought this was a "paint by numbers" novel. Nothing could be further from the truth! I thoroughly enjoyed the fleshing out of the characters, of Collinsport and Collinwood in general -- the descriptions of the house, the property and especially all the secret passages I found invaluable; it makes the references to the secret passages on the show have some validity, too -- it was all extremely well-done. No, the characters don't always seem to match what we might remember; the authors' characterization of Elizabeth Collins Stoddard seemed more like how Jean Simmons (the '90s Elizabeth) might have played her rather than Joan Bennett, for example, but overall, the book created some new angles and twists that I sincerely hope we'll continue to see. This is a fine book for old and new DS fan alike! Don't miss out!

Although nearly three decades have passed since the original serial left the airwaves, Collinwood and its miriad residents continue to live on in the hearts of fans. Now, the shadows again descend upon Collinwood as Angelique reaches out from the bowels of hell in an effort to reunite with... or perhaps destroy... the only man she ever has loved, Barnabas Collins. And of course, caught in the middle of the supernatural forces all around her is Victoria Winters, who finds herself both longing after and fearing Barnabas even as she is swept off her feet by a mysterious newcomer. How closely does this book mirror the beloved series? Well, the first post-prologue chapter begins with the words, "My name is Victoria Winters..." Fans of the serial should snap this book up and perhaps use their own dark powers to summon up new books in the series!

This was a phenominal book. I have always been a fan of the series and this book, which is very well written brought the characters to life. It was suspenseful and errie in the tradition as only true dark shadows fans could know. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a true fan of this series.

"Dreams of the Dark" continues in the best tradition of the Dark Shadows TV series. It is full of gothic atmosphere, yet not wordy in the way of traditional Victorian literature. These vamps suck the reader in, and make you like it. I wouldn't dream of spoiling the story for those who have yet to experience it; suffice it to say that the familiar characters hold some surprises, and the new vamp is complex, fascinating, and oh so seductive! Fans of Anne Rice, vampire fiction, and Dark Shadows alike should enjoy this latest effort. Bravo!